Morondava

Morondava is a picture-postcard beach town in the Menabe region in south west Madagascar. In former times Morondova was a centre of the Sakalava Kingdom and a popular stop-over for sailors. Now the area is rich in sugar and rice farming. Morondava is a popular location amongst those who wish to experience relatively remote areas of Madagascar as well as stop-over while travelling to and from Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park.

Schooner in Morondava

Nosy Kely

Zebu owners

Zebu market

Lady with fish

Zebu cart

Zebu cart at sugar cane field

As the population has grown in the region the forests have also been gradually cut down, except the baobab trees which the locals has preserved for religious reasons. However, unfortunately deforestation to make way for sugar cane plantations continues in large areas including some of the remaining baobabs.

Morondava can be reached by a 700km drive from Antanarivo. However, the road conditions in the latter part of the journey, the 120km between Miandrivazo and Malaimbandy, are especially poor and can take six hours. The entire drive can take between 11 and 18 hours. As such, Morondava is best reached by plane. There are daily flights by Air Madagascar connecting Antanarivo and Tulear.

A boat transfer (Taxi de la mer) runs twice a week between Morondava and Belo sur Mer and takes around 2½ hours. The price is 50,000 each way. Tickets can be booked at the office in the port or via Hatea Café on Nosy Kely (tel: +261 032 0469261).

Accommodation

Morondava offers plenty of accommodation alternatives, ranging from budget backpacker rooms to comfortable beach bungalows. The hotels are either in the town or on Nosy Kely peninsula, a few minutes walk from the town centre.